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A Forty Day Journey The “Acts” of the Unfolding Journey The Overture – from Ash Wednesday to the First Sunday of LentThe Overture – from Ash Wednesday to the First Sunday of Lent The First Act – from the First Sunday of Lent to the Fourth Sunday of LentThe First Act – from the First Sunday of Lent to the Fourth Sunday of Lent The Second Act – from the Fourth Sunday of Lent to Palm SundayThe Second Act – from the Fourth Sunday of Lent to Palm Sunday The Third Act – Holy WeekThe Third Act – Holy Week The Climax – The TriduumThe Climax – The Triduum

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Opening Prayer “Holy Mary, Mother of God, You have given the world its true light, Jesus, your Son – the Son of God. You abandoned yourself completely to God’s call And thus became a wellspring Of the goodness which flows forth from him. Show us Jesus. Lead us to him. Teach us to know and love him, So that we too can become Capable of true love And be fountains of living water In the midst of a thirsting world.”

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The Journey in 2007 Time is a gift from God. Time is a gift from God. It is not true that so- and-so has more time than I do. It is not true that so- and-so has more time than I do. How do I choose to use the gift of time that God gives me? How do I choose to use the gift of time that God gives me? This Lenten journey is different than Lent 2005 or 2003 or 1995. This Lenten journey is different than Lent 2005 or 2003 or 1995.

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A Journey Requires Preparation From where have I come? From where have I come? Where am I now? Where am I now? Where am I going? Where am I going?

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Two Great Commandments Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your neighbor as yourself.

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INDICATIVE INDICATIVE God loves us unconditionally without any limits, due to no merit of our own. INVITATION IMPERATIVE IMPERATIVE We must repent and convert, to turn toward the love of our God. RESPONSE

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The Christian Vocation As followers of Christ, our vocation is to love. As followers of Christ, our vocation is to love. Love is not just a feeling or emotion. Love is a decision. Love is not just a feeling or emotion. Love is a decision. Sin is also a decision of the mind and will. It is a decision not to love. Sin is also a decision of the mind and will. It is a decision not to love.

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Sowers of God’s Peace Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. Sow a character, reap a destiny.

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PRAYER Opens us to God Opens us to God Discernment = God is at the center Discernment = God is at the center Humbles us in the Presence of God Humbles us in the Presence of God Establishes relationship with Abba Establishes relationship with Abba Keeps us directed in our journey Keeps us directed in our journey

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Prayer Leads Us in Freedom Freedom = the ability to do what ought to be done Freedom = the ability to do what ought to be done License = the ability to do whatever I please License = the ability to do whatever I please

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Prayer Strengthens Us in Grace Grace = Our participation in the life of God Grace = Our participation in the life of God God fills us with grace. God fills us with grace.

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Deflate and Inflate During the Lenten Journey, we must empty ourselves of self – deflate. Once we are emptied of self, then we are inflated with the Spirit = breath = ruah

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The 23 rd Channel The TV is my shepherd. I shall not want. It makes me lie down on the sofa. It leads me away from the faith. It destroys my soul. It leads me in the path of sex and violence for the sponsor’s sake. Yea, though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities, there will be no interruption for the TV is with me. It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of my worldliness. It anoints my head with humanism and consumerism, my coveting runneth over. Surely, laziness and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.

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ALMSGIVING Builds up treasure in heaven Builds up treasure in heaven Combats materialism with simplicity Combats materialism with simplicity Unites us with those who are poor Unites us with those who are poor Increases gratitude Increases gratitude Establishes equity of gifts from God Establishes equity of gifts from God

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“The average age of the world’s great civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From great courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependency; From dependency back again to bondage.”

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Balance in the Journey We live in this world but we are not of this world. We live in this world but we are not of this world. The letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Interior intention and exterior act. Interior intention and exterior act. Obligation or freely chosen? Obligation or freely chosen? Need or want? Need or want?

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Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach.

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Follow the Leader A children’s game A children’s game The name of the game also explains the rules of the game. The name of the game also explains the rules of the game. But we must know who the leader is before we can follow the leader. But we must know who the leader is before we can follow the leader.

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Matthew 16:13-20 “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “But who do you say that I am?” “But who do you say that I am?” Peter declares the Lord to be his leader. Peter declares the Lord to be his leader.

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Matthew 16:21-23 Jesus begins teaching what it means to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus begins teaching what it means to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Peter tries to protect the Lord. Peter tries to protect the Lord. “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Matthew 4:10 “Get away, Satan!” Matthew 4:10 “Get away, Satan!” What is the difference between Peter and Satan? What is the difference between Peter and Satan?

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Conditions of Discipleship Matthew 16:24-25 If you wish to come after Christ, you must: If you wish to come after Christ, you must: Deny yourself Deny yourself Take up your cross Take up your cross Follow Christ Follow Christ